Yellow Submarine sunk by goal blitz to leave their hopes of securing automatic Champions League spot in tatters

Valencia took a massive step towards securing an automatic Champions League
place next season with a 5-0 thrashing of rivals Villarreal. Roberto Soldado
and Juan Mata both scored twice on an evening of humiliation for the Yellow
Submarine.

Soldado, correctly ruled onside, finished smartly to give Valencia the lead on
14 minutes. Juan Mata added a second 10 minutes into the second half and
Argentinian midfielder Ever Banega finished off Villarreal with a rare goal
just after the hour.

Mata and Soldado helped themselves to a further goal each before the end as
Villarreal simply collapsed. The result leaves Valencia six points clear in
third place with seven matches to play.

Atletico Madrid moved up into seventh with a convincing win over Real Sociedad
in front of nearly 50,000 at the Vicente Calderon. Brazilian defender Filipe
put them ahead on 12 minutes with a fierce drive and just before the